Hanger

ABSTRACT

A hanger for arranging a curtain, flag or cover for movement in a plane defined by a displacement axis and the hanger being arranged symmetrical with respect to the displacement axis, which comprises a guide rail, a guide element guided by the guide rail, a support body connected to the guide element, the support body having two legs arranged to overlap an edge of the sheet held therebetween, and the edge of the sheet being affixed to the support body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a hanger for arranging a sheet,such as a curtain, flag or cover, for movement in a plane defined by adisplacement axis, which comprises a guide element for guidance along aguide member, such as a guide rail, a guide rope or the like, and asupport body connected to the guide element, the support body havingmeans for affixing the edge of the sheet to the support body.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] DE 36 35 422 A1 discloses a hanger with a hook-shaped fasteningelement for an edge of a curtain, and a support body with two guideelements engaging a guide rail.

[0005] EP 1 080 675 A1 discloses a hanger with a hook hanging in a guideelement and a support body. The support body has two hinged legsoverlapping a fold of the curtain. A separate fastening clip clamps thelegs together. The structure of the hanger is complex and requires anexpensive tool. The hanger structure does not afford a balanced load onthe guide rail so that it is not adapted for heavy curtains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is a primary object of this invention to provide a hanger ofsimple structure, which may be manufactured in a cost-effective mannerand which affords a balanced load on the guide rail. The hanger of theinvention is particularly useful for all sorts of heavy sheets, such ascurtains or covers, in tents, trucked advertising sheets, flags, stageor industrial curtains, and the like.

[0007] The above and other objects are accomplished in accordance withthe invention with a hanger for arranging a sheet for movement in aplane defined by a displacement axis and the hanger being arrangedsubstantially symmetrical with respect to the displacement axis, whichcomprises a guide element guided for guidance along a guide member, anda support body connected to the guide element. The support body has twolegs arranged to overlap an edge of the sheet held therebetween, andmeans for affixing the edge of the sheet to the support body.

[0008] The manufacture of such a hanger is simple and cost-effective. Atthe same time, the guide member as well as the guide element aresubjected to a centered, even load.

[0009] Preferably and to avoid assembly errors, the hanger is alsoarranged substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane extendingperpendicular to the displacement axis.

[0010] A fold-free fastening of the curtain to the hanger is obtained ifthe legs extend parallel to each other and to the displacement axis.

[0011] The manufacture as well as the assembly is obtained if the legsare integral with the support body since this reduces the number ofparts.

[0012] If the two legs define a receiving groove therebetween, the edgeof the curtain may be positioned therein.

[0013] A reliable fastening of the edge of the sheet is produced if thelegs have facing serrated inner sides pressed towards each other. Theserrated inner sides may have projections defining grooves therebetween,the projections on the inner side of one of the legs being aligned withthe grooves on the inner side of the other leg.

[0014] Preferably, at least one of the legs has at least one transversebore, and a bulge having a transverse bore receiving a screw and alignedwith the transverse bore in the one leg is provided on a side of theother leg facing outwardly. This permits a very quick, cheap andreliable connection since it avoids making a hole in the edge of thesheet, and a screw may be readily inserted with any screw driver. Anouter side of the one leg may have a recess of polygonal cross sectionsurrounding the transverse bore for receiving a screw nipple having aprojecting part of the same cross section as that of the recess, thebulge being preferably formed on the screw nipple. The polygonal crosssection prevents rotation of the screw nipple. This preferred embodimentmakes it possible to mass-produce the hanger in one version, and to varyit for different screws and threads by means of the screw nipple bydifferent diameters of the transverse bore.

[0015] An invisible and comfortable movement of the sheet along theguide rail is obtained if the support body has a through bore extendingin the direction of the displacement axis for insertion of a tractioncord, and this avoids the need for special guide means for the tractioncord. The support body may also have a bore extending at an angle andleading to the through bore for reliable entrainment of each hangerelement. In this way, a curtain on the hanger may be opened to atargeted extent.

[0016] Assembly and disassembly will be facilitated if the guide elementis detachably affixed to the support body. In this way, the sheet may bereadily removed, for example for cleaning, without having to remove theguide element from the guide rail or insert it therein.

[0017] The guide element may comprise a gliding body or a pair ofrollers journaled on an axle extending perpendicularly to thedisplacement axis. The number of rollers and axles may be multiplied ifvery heavy sheets are to be hung. The guide element may have the shapeof a ring holder, a cord holder, a hook or an eye.

[0018] To obtain a secure fastening of the sheet to the hanger, the legsmay be fastened to the edge of the sheet by bolting, riveting, bonding,welding or sewing. If the sheet is of relatively light weight, it may besufficient to provide a sliding element slidable over the legs to pressthe legs towards each other and thus clamp the edge of the sheettherebetween.

[0019] If the guide element has a through bore for receiving the guiderail, the hanger may be readily mounted on the guide rail by sliding ittherealong. This through bore may have a round, oval or polygonal crosssection.

[0020] If the hanger and the sheet are comprised of a synthetic resin, acost-effective fastening may be provided by hot air, high-frequency orultrasound welding. Self-lubricating properties of the synthetic resinfacilitate the sliding of the guide element along the guide rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0021] The above and other objects, advantages and features of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of now preferred embodiments thereof, in conjunction withthe accompanying, somewhat schematic drawing wherein

[0022]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the hangeraccording to this invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a section along line II-II of FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the hanger;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a section along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the hanger;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a section along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the hanger;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a section along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the hanger;

[0031]FIG. 10 is a section along line X-X of FIG. 9;

[0032]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the hanger;

[0033]FIG. 12 is a section along line XII-XII of FIG. 9;

[0034]FIG. 13 is an exploded plan view of a seventh embodiment of thehanger, with a support body detachably arrangeable on a guide element;

[0035]FIG. 14 is a section along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

[0036]FIG. 15 shows a guide element differing from the one illustratedin FIG. 13;

[0037]FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a support body differing from theone illustrated in FIG. 14;

[0038] FIGS. 17 to 19 show, respectively, a side view, a plan view andand end view of another embodiment of the support body;

[0039]FIGS. 20 and 21 respectively show a plan view and a section alongline C-C of yet another embodiment of the support body;

[0040]FIGS. 22 and 23 respectively show a side view and an end view of ascrew nipple inserted in the support body illustrated in FIGS. 20 and21;

[0041]FIGS. 24a, 24 b, 25 a, 25 b, 26 a, 26 b and 27 a, 27 brespectively show plan and side views of further embodiments of thehanger;

[0042]FIG. 28 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the hanger;and

[0043]FIG. 29 illustrates the arrangement of the hanger of FIG. 28 on aninsertion tool, partly in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Like reference numerals are used for like parts functioning in alike manner in all figures to simplify and shorten the description.

[0045] Referring now to the drawing and first to FIGS. 1 to 8, there isshown hanger 1 for arranging a sheet (not shown) for movement in a planedefined by a displacement axis A. The hanger is arranged substantiallysymmetrical with respect to the displacement axis and comprises guideelement 2 for guidance along a guide member (not shown), and supportbody 3 connected to the guide element. The support body has two legs 5,6 arranged to overlap upper edge T of the sheet held therebetween. Means4 for affixing edge T of the sheet to support body 3 is arrangeable onthe support body. Hanger 1 is also arranged substantially symmetricalwith respect to a plane extending perpendicular to the displacementaxis, as shown at B. As shown in the drawing, legs 5, 6 extend parallelto each other and to displacement axis A.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, legs 5, 6 are integral withsupport body 3, and they define a receiving groove 9 therebetween forreceiving edge T of the sheet, the legs having facing serrated innersides 10, 11. Depending on the thickness of the sheet, groove 9 may havea width of 1 mm, for example. Illustrated serrated inner sides 10, 11have projections 13 defining grooves 14 therebetween, the projections onthe inner side of one of the legs 5, 6 being aligned with the grooves onthe inner side of the other leg. Illustrated support body 3 has a centersection 7 in alignment with the guide member, such as a guide rail (notshown), and a wider section 8 from which legs 5, 6 branch off. Theabove-described structure of the hanger produces a centered load of theweight of the sheet, such as a curtain, on the guide member and on guideelement 2.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, support body 3 has a through bore 20for insertion of a traction cord, which extends parallel to displacementaxis A. The traction cord may be passed through the support bodies andaffixed to an end hanger 1. The support body also has a bore 22extending at a right angle and leading to through bore 20. A fasteningelement, such as a screw, may be inserted in bore 22 to fix the positionof hanger 1 relative to the traction cord. Legs 5, 6 have transversebores 21 enabling edge T of the sheet to be screwed or riveted to thelegs. The attachment of the sheet may be facilitated by pre-assemblingthe screws or rivets.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, guide element 2 may comprise a compactgliding body 15 or, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, it may have a pairof rollers 16, 19 journaled on an axle 16 extending perpendicularly tothe displacement axis, or more than one pair of such rollers journaledon axles 16, 17, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0049] FIGS. 9 to 16 illustrate embodiments wherein guide element 2 (notshown in these figures) is detachably affixed to support body 3. Thismakes it possible to leave the guide element in the guide member whilethe support body remains on the sheet when it is removed for cleaning,for example. Also, guide elements may be replaced without removing thehanging sheet.

[0050] In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 to 12, no middle section 7 isprovided in support body 3 and legs 5, 6, and a locking recess 23 isprovided at the closed end of groove 9. This locking recess receivesfastening yoke 23 to which the guide element may be fastened. The guideelement may have a hook for engaging the fastening yoke. This embodimenthas the advantage that support body 3 may be manufactured in a flatshape and then bent into a U-shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12.In this way, the support bodies may be manufactured very economically byusing strips of flat stock or simple casting molds.

[0051] Other embodiments of support bodies 3 and guide elements 2 areshown in FIGS. 13 to 16. As shown, locking or clamping means 25 on theguide element and the support body enable the guide element to bedetachably affixed to the support body. The illustrated locking orclampimng means comprises a recess 29 in support body 3 and locking ofclamping part in guide element 2 for engagement in the recess. In FIG.13, this clamping part is illustrated as T-shaped end 28 engagingsupport body 3, the T-shaped end being comprised of a middle section 27and transverse web 28. As shown in FIG. 14, an end of the support bodyfacing T-shaped end 26 of guide element 2 has recess 30 receiving middlesection 27, which is inserted into corresponding locking recess 23 inthe direction of arrow X and then pivoted into a vertical position.

[0052] According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, supportbody 3 has an annular end facing the guide element, and the annular endhas a central slot (not shown) through which locking lugs 31, 32 ofguide element 2 may be inserted. The locking lugs are provided on anelastic U-shaped part and have projections for locking them in recess29.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, leg 5 of support body3 has transverse bore 21 while hemispherical bulge 33 is aligned withtransverse bore 21 on a side of the other leg 6 facing outwardly. Bulge33 has a transverse bore 34 aligned with transverse bore 21 in leg 5. Awood screw may be inserted in transverse bore 21 and, passing throughthe edge T of the sheet, may be screwed into transverse bore 34. Iftransverse bore 34 as an internal thread, a regular screw may be used.

[0054] In the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, transverse bore 21 extendsthrough both legs, and recess 35 of polygonal cross section surroundsthe transverse bore. A screw nipple 36 (see also FIGS. 22 and 23) havingprojecting part 38 of the same cross section as that of recess 35 isinserted in the recess, the bulge being formed on the screw nipple. Thescrew nipple has a part 37 having an outer diameter of the samedimension as that of transverse bore 21. This arrangement preventsrotation of the screw relative to the support body, and screw nipple 36enables support body 3 to be adapted to different screw and threaddimensions.

[0055] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, guide element 2 hasthrough bore 39 for receiving the guide member. This through bore has acircular cross section in FIGS. 24 and 25, and an elongated or ovalcross section in FIGS. 26 and 27. It may also have a polygonal crosssection, if desired. In all other respects, the structure of guideelement 2 in these embodiments may be the same as hereinabove described.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, at least one leg 5, 6has a positioning hole 40 between transverse bores 21 for screwing orriveting. Tool 41 (for example, a riveting plate) has a threaded orholding pin 43 between dolly bars 42. When threaded pin 43 is screwedout, support body 3 with positioning hole 40 may be securely positionedin tool 41 so that it is not displaced when the egde T of the sheet isinserted between legs 5, 6. Since suport body 3 cannot fall out of tool41, overhead assembly is possible. Pin 43 secures support body inposition against undesired displacement during riveting. Tool 41 mayalso be utilized with a retracted pin 43 if the support body has nopositioning hole. Rivets 44 pre-assembled in transverse bores 21 areshown in FIG. 29, and this further simplifies the assembly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanger for arranging a sheet for movement in aplane defined by a displacement axis and the hanger being arrangedsubstantially symmetrical with respect to the displacement axis, whichcomprises (a) a guide element for guidance along a guide member, and (b)a support body connected to the guide element, the support body having(1) two legs arranged to overlap an edge of the sheet held therebetween,and (2) means for affixing the edge of the sheet to the support body. 2.The hanger of claim 1, the hanger being arranged substantiallysymmetrical with respect to a plane extending perpendicular to thedisplacement axis.
 3. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the legs extendparallel to each other and to the displacement axis.
 4. The hanger ofclaim 1, wherein the legs are integral with the support body.
 5. Thehanger of claim 1, wherein the two legs define a receiving groovetherebetween.
 6. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the legs have facingserrated inner sides.
 7. The hanger of claim 6, wherein the serratedinner sides have projections defining grooves therebetween, theprojections on the inner side of one of the legs being aligned with thegrooves on the inner side of the other leg.
 8. The hanger of claim 1,wherein at least one of the legs has at least one transverse bore, and abulge aligned with the transverse bore is provided on a side of theother leg facing outwardly.
 9. The hanger of claim 8, wherein the bulgehas a transverse bore aligned with the transverse bore in the one leg.10. The hanger of claim 8, wherein an outer side of the one leg has arecess of polygonal cross section surrounding the transverse bore. 11.The hanger of claim 10, further comprising a screw nipple having aprojecting part of the same cross section as that of the recess isinserted in the recess, the bulge being formed on the screw nipple. 12.The hanger of claim 1, wherein the support body has a through bore forinsertion of a traction cord.
 13. The hanger of claim 12, wherein thesupport body has a bore extending at an angle and leading to the throughbore.
 14. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guide element is detachablyaffixed to the support body.
 15. The hanger of claim 14, furthercomprising locking or clamping means on the guide element and thesupport body for detachably affixing the guide element to the supportbody.
 16. The hanger of claim 15, wherein the locking or clamping meanscomprises a recess in the support body and a locking or clamping part inthe guide element for engagement in the recess.
 17. The hanger of claim14, wherein the guide element has a T-shaped end engaging an end of thesupport body.
 18. The hanger of claim 14, wherein the guide element haslocking lugs.
 19. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guide elementcomprises a gliding body.
 20. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guideelement has a pair of rollers journaled on an axle extendingperpendicularly to the displacement axis.
 21. The hanger of claim 1,wherein the legs are fastened to the edge of the sheet by bolting,riveting, bonding, welding or sewing.
 22. The hanger of claim 1, furthercomprising a sliding element slidable over the legs to press the legstowards each other.
 23. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guide elementhas a through bore for receiving the guide member.